Best way to help homeless youth hardly used

Homeless youth, many of whom have suffered at the hands of adults entrusted with their care, often refuse to seek refuge at shelters. A recent study confirmed what lead researcher Natasha Slesnick has seen in her two decades of work with homeless youth: Drop-in centers tailored to their needs and age are more effective.

Eighty percent of youth in the study who were encouraged to visit a drop-in center did so. Only 18 percent encouraged to visit a shelter did so. Instead, 30 percent of that group went to the drop-in center.

Research by Natasha Slesnick
Professor
Human Development and Family Science